Boosting the Creative Economy

Government Explores Ways to Boost Baliís Handicraft Sector

The Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy has noted six handicraft areas that support Bali’s skill base and have great potential for further development.

As reported by Bisnis.com, research carried out by the Economics Unit of the Ministry also identified impediments holding back the potential of the craft sector in Bali.

Metal Working

First, the Ministry singled out the metal working sector as able to produce ritual items for religious practice, accessories, jewelry and household items.

Ni Komang Ayu Astiti, a researcher from the Ministry, said the main problem holding back Bali’s metal workers is the lack of competition within the sector and the minimum use of technology by those employed in that sub-sector.

Traditional Weaving

Balinese textile weaving is capable of being fashioned into a number of styles, motifs, quality and shapes.

In the textile making process in Bali, Ayu discovered that very few are actually employed in this sector and there was little understanding on how to register intellectual property rights.

Textile weavers also encounter difficulties getting their product to market.

Spa Products

Spa products such as exfoliates, massage oils, natural soaps and essential aromatherapy oils have strong potential in Bali but still encounter problems in the areas of securing raw products, marketing and manpower.

Shell Ware and Mother-of-Pearl

Bali has a large supply of shell products that can be fashioned into accessories and jewelry. To change shell products into handicraft products, problems of capital and skilled workers remain hurdles to overcome.

Handicrafts Made from Glass Waste

Handicrafts made from disposed glass can be turned into accessories and decorative items. Because these are made from waste products, raw materials, together with skilled workers and marketing, remain problematic.

Silver

Bali is well known for its skilled silver workers who fashion jewelry and accessories, religious paraphernalia and modified daily accessories.

A lack of technology, raw materials and skilled workers remain basic problems to the silver-working sector.

Summary

A final written report submitted to the Ministry surveyed a whole range of obstacles confronting Indonesia’s handicraft sector ranging from skilled labor, competition, technology, marketing, capital and supplies of raw material.

To overcome these challenges the Ministry has prepared a number of strategies. To provide needed capital the Ministry is seeking payment channels suitable to traditional craftsmen.

Memorandums of Understanding between the craftsmen and banking/payment agencies have been drawn up.